MUSHROOMS. 



CHAPTER IV. 



OUTDOOR CULTURE. 



In the case of outdoor culture it is desirable that the beds 

 should be of the ridge-shaped type. No other form of bed 

 retains its heat so well, or can be so effectively protected 

 against heavy rains, frosts, or snow. Once more let us 

 strongly advise novices to prepare the manure thoroughly 

 well before making it into a bed. "When pressed together 

 into a deep ridge imperfectly - prejjared manure is liable 

 to overheat, the centre of the bed attainmg to a white 

 heat. This gets rid of every particle of moisture, leaving 

 the manure in a dry, musty state, totally unfit for the pro- 

 duction of mushrooms. Ridge-shaped beds should be located 

 in a well-drained and sheltered position, cold northerly winds 

 in particular being kept away from them as much as pos- 

 sible. A hard bottom is also desirable. 



Forming: the Beds. — Conmience operations by first 

 staking or marking out a width of 30in., the length varying 

 from 6ft. to 100ft. or more according to the quantity of 

 manure available. If previous instructions have been well 

 attended to, the strawy manure will have been well shaken 

 out^ no great flakes being tolerated. Form the bed in layers 

 of not more than 18in. at a time, well beating and trampling 

 the manure according as the work goes on. From the 30in. 

 width at the bottom gradually taper the beds, so that when 

 a height of 30in. is reached the width at the top will be only 

 6in. Slightly round off the top and dress down the sides 

 and ends with a fork, so as to give them a neat thatch-like 

 appearance. Next thrust a few strong sticks well into the 

 centre of the beds. These are to be examined frequently, 

 and should they become so very hot as to be quite unbear- 



